Stan Westmoreland

76, Lemon Grove

Ilene Westmoreland remembers when her father took a year off from work when she was in third grade and devoted his time to helping her in school.

She remembers the trips to the library, where he would take out books to read to her. She remembers having a project for school about “Beauty and the Beast” and how her father stopped at mall after mall during an eight-hour stretch to get her exactly what she needed. Later, he taught her how to drive a car.

Stan Westmoreland, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who fought in the Vietnam War, died Feb. 10 at Scripps Mercey Hospital in San Diego from complications of COVID-19. Westmoreland, of Lemon Grove, was 76.

Ilene said her father was a fullblooded Cherokee Indian. She remembered him as a private, patient and humble man, a dedicated husband to his wife of 41 years, Ivy Sue, and father — and good with numbers. “He was a very good man,” she said. “I think after he lost his first son from his first marriage, he understood that time was precious and making memories was important,” Ilene said. “My dad never really cared about anything that was material. He was very wise.”

Stanley Westmoreland was born in San Diego on June 11, 1945, to Louis Westmoreland and Willie Mae Watson, the third of four children. Just after graduating from San Diego High School, Westmoreland joined the Marines and served four years in Vietnam. While there, he was exposed to Agent Orange, which damaged his lungs.

After an honorable discharge as an E-5 sergeant, Westmoreland came back home, attended Mesa College and the University of San Diego, married, started a family and was a warehouse manager at the original FedMart, a chain of discount stores started by Sol Price of Price Club fame.

After a divorce and the tragic loss of his 10-year-old son, Westmoreland met Ivy at work at FedMart subsidiary International Distributing Co. and the two married, had children and lived together in Lemon Grove. He enjoyed taking trips to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with his family, buying chocolates for his wife at See’s Candies and attending plays.

Helen Ofield, past president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society and longtime family friend, said “the Stanley Westmorelands of the world are rare and precious.”

“He saw the world as kin, not broken up into ethnic, racial or economic groups,” Ofield said. “He approached all people as equals and expected — and received — the same in return.” Ivy Westmoreland said her husband embraced diversity and enjoyed attending cultural events, especially plays at the San Diego Repertory Theatre, where they were regulars at the Lyceum.

In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by a son, Stanley III, and a sister, Lois Lucas.